Returning after a 2 year absence, Victorious Festival proved once again why it is one of the best if not thee best festival in Hampshire. Situated on Southsea Common, headliners included Madness, The Streets and Royal Blood.
Madness were simply a fantastic choice headliner on the main stage on the opening night and were complimented by the brilliant Peter Hook & The Light who sang songs from his former Joy Division that certainly got the crowd dancing and singing along. This was quickly followed by amazing sets from Feeder and The Kooks who certainly know how to warm up a crowd but could have easily headlined the festival itself.
Fronted by the ever-characteristic Suggs, the set got off to a flier with One Step Beyond and followed with the likes of Embarrassment and My Girl. Many fans of all ages sang along in their thousands as they played a particular favourite of mine In My Street. Madness finished on It Must Be Love before doing an encore with the song Madness and Night Boat To Cairo. It was a fantastic way to end the Friday night and to kick off the weekend of music ahead.
Saturday afternoon soon raised and we managed to catch Bloxx sooner than listed as Craig David TS5 was delayed by an hour. The sun shining however and Bloxx, fronted by Ophelia Booth, started with Lie Out Loud – a track that was produced in Lockdown. 5,000 Miles then followed as Booth described this song being about her ex-girlfriend. Bloxx finished on Everything I’ve Ever Learned which was a nice way to end a promising set from the Uxbridge band.
Craig David TS5 then finally arrived on stage as a packed Common Stage simply erupted when the Southampton born performer began his set. Craig David has himself on stage and DJ set but that was more than enough for the Portsmouth crowd to get excited. He started with When the Bassline Drops/Killing Me Softly as the mashups continued throughout the set including Flowers/It’s Not Right But It’s OK/Sorry and Jump Around/Jenny from the Block/Heartline which certainly got the packed crowd jumping. Craig David finished on 7 Days, a classic of his, that really got every single person singing to the classic 2000 hit.
Over on the Castle Stage, Rews, Wild Front and The Mysterines all kicked off the Saturday in style as Bas Sounds, Porridge Radio and the wonderful Black Honey soon got the stage in full swing. Morcheeba then performed on the Common Stage before Frank Turner who gave everything to his set as the Winchester based performer always does. Blossom and Rag’N’Bone Man then followed on the Castle Stage before the ever electric and fun The Fratellis who played their classic singalong song Chelsea Dagger among plenty others!
Saturday also saw The Streets headline the Common Stage alongside Manic Street Preachers who clashed with them. We managed to catch a bit of each set however for me it was The Streets that really put the rubber stamp on an amazing day of live music as they performed the likes of Fit But You Know It and Blinded by the Lights among many more.
Of course there were many other stages across the weekend that included the Acoustic Stage which has highlights from the likes Seth Lakeman and Lauren Hibberd as well as the World Music Stage presented by Arms Around The Child with Platypus Complex really shining for us on this stage. There was plenty to do and see for kids also with the Kids Stage and Kids Arena Meet and Greet which proves even more why Victorious Festival is the festival to be when it comes to family fun.
Sunday started with Fugitive Orchestra to kick things off on the Castle Stage with Liz Lawrence kicking off proceedings on the Common Stage with a superb set. Annie Mac however shined for me on Sunday afternoon as the BBC Radio 1 DJ played some hits for the packed crowd that really got them in the dancing spirit. Kawala, The Snuts and Melanie C were particular highlights for the Castle Stage on Sunday as Nile Rodgers & CHIC capped off a superb weekend of music at that stage. The brilliant Royal Blood finished off the music at the Common Stage also as the duo played the likes of How Did We Get So Dark? and Blood Hands as well as Limbo to finish off. The Brighton two piece then played All We Have Is Now, Out of the Black and Figure It Out to finish off the night and weekend at Victorious Festival.
From the brilliant Beats & Swing Stage to the Seaside Stage, Victorious Festival had just about everything that would cater even for people who aren’t necessarily a festival goer!